Wanderlust Japanese Podcast

Ep.11 When Polite Textbook Japanese Makes You Sound Rude

The phrase どなたですか？ is polite, but can sound rude depending on when you use it. In this episode, Mariko covers:- How to directly ask who someone is when you need to answer the door or pick up the phone-「うん」 trap — how it happens without noticing, and its damage- why saying いいえ alone sounds cold and impolite 📥 Grammar Note + Interactive Script (free):https://wanderlust-japanese.kit.com/ep11 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wanderlust.japanese Wanderlust Japanese — real-life Japanese for adults building a life where Japanese matters.

3 Phrases for Honest Communication in Japanese - Leverage Who You Are

In this episode we go beneath "Japanese people are indirect" and "空気を読む — reading the air." 3 phrases to unlock honest communication in Japanese would make it easier for the people around you to be honest with you. One of them only works because you're not Japanese. 📥 Freeze Ready Kit — five real situations, phrases, cultural context, and shadowing practice: https://wanderlust-japanese.kit.com/freezeready [https://wanderlust-japanese.kit.com/freezeready]

Ep9. Emergency Japanese - How to call and handle 110 and 119 in Japan.

Calling 110 or 119 in Japan sounds simple — until you're on the call. This episode covers what the dispatcher asks, what you say, how to find your location if you're outside, and what to do when your Japanese isn't enough. Plus one thing most expats haven't checked that matters more than any phrase. 📥 Emergency Japanese Cheat Sheet — free download: https://wanderlust-japanese.kit.com/emergency [https://wanderlust-japanese.kit.com/emergency]

Ep.8 Stop Feeling Overwhelmed by Kanji — 2 Methods for Adult Expats

Kanji feels overwhelming — but most advice tells you to start from page one of a workbook that wasn't designed for your life. In this episode I share how Japanese people actually live with kanji, why even native speakers forget characters, and two practical methods adult expats can start today — no flashcards, no study sessions required. 📥 Free guide: wanderlust-japanese.kit.com/whysohard

Ep. 7 The 3 Phrases That Get You Through Any City Office Visit in Japan

The city office. The immigration office. The bank. These are the places you can't skip as a foreign resident in Japan — and where a misunderstanding costs more than just embarrassment. Three phrases that change how you walk into any official counter in Japan. Enter with purpose, ask for what you need, and confirm before you leave. 📥 Download The City Office Japanese Kit: wanderlust-japanese.kit.com/cityhall